New Zealand Rugby is confident the country can - and will - play host for this year's Rugby Championship.
Planning is still at an early stage, but CEO Mark Robinson has revealed further details of SANZAAR's innovative plan to stage the tournament in NZ, which would provide a major boost to the All Blacks' hopes of regaining the title.
"Conversations are at very, very early stages," says Robinson. "But now that we've got some indication from SANZAAR, obviously we're going to move quickly to see what we can try and do."
While it was too early to talk kick-off times and format, Robinson has been able to indicate a timeframe.
"Early-ish November until early-to-mid December, probably across six weeks."
It would place the All Blacks as firm favourites, not only because they'll be playing all the games in front of a home crowd, but teams like South Africa and Argentina haven't even been able to play rugby since COVID-19 has hit.
But they are looking at solutions for them so they're not disadvantaged, including coming to NZ early to acclimatise and play warm-up games.
Despite the lack of game time, all teams have expressed their desire to play.
But this will all depend on approval from the NZ Government, who are open to the idea.
"To make sure we've got the capacity to have teams come in to isolate, and train and then play."
SANZAAR will cover the costs of a quarantine period for the teams, which seems a small price to pay to ensure the Rugby Championship goes ahead in 2020.
It's still hoped All Blacks will participate in part of the Mitre 10 Cup.
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